Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies read more

The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies and his life just to make sure that one note follows another . . . and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world.

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast,"
And therefore proper at a sheriff's feast.

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast,"
And therefore proper at a sheriff's feast.

When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to read more

When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to retain his amateur status. It is the thought of just such a listener that excites the composer in me.

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

The songs are inspired by my experiences. Sometimes they are more than my real-life and, conversely, my life is more read more

The songs are inspired by my experiences. Sometimes they are more than my real-life and, conversely, my life is more than just my songs.

I've outdone anyone you can name -- Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Strauss. Irving Berlin, he wrote 1,001 tunes. I wrote 5,500.

I've outdone anyone you can name -- Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Strauss. Irving Berlin, he wrote 1,001 tunes. I wrote 5,500.

Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.

Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.